Ok, I’m taking a big risk here talking about politics on my blog, but this article really hits home with what America is all about. Millions of Americans can identify with Obama’s identity. He’s neither black nor white. He’s in between. So are millions of Americans today.

Note: I do not affliate myself with any political party. I am a unbiased bystander in American politics. I am pretty sure a lot of readers will consider this a nod for Obama as president, but I make no such claims.

I don’t normally talk about politics but this excerpt from the 80-20 Initiative email newsletter I subscribe to just made my blood boil over. On 101.5 FM in NJ, the following conversation took place. The Jersey Guys, Craig Carton and Ray Rossi, were spreading anti-AsAm sentiment centered upon a Korean-Am political candidate running for office in Edison, NJ. A listener called in on April 25, 2005.

Caller: Hi, I love you Carton: Thank you. Caller: You just said it all, the last couple of…callers, I guess they don’t know that they live in America & WE’RE BEING OVERRUN. I had just moved out of Edison because of what has happened in the past 10 years… ORIENTALS ARE ALL ALONG, THE WHOLE COMPLETE ROUTE 27 AND INDIANS HAVE TAKEN OVER EDISON IN NORTH AND ALL OVER. Carton: DAMN ORIENTALS AND INDIANS. Caller: I..I moved out..36 years I’ve lived in Edison Carton: And what was the biggest problem you had with the Orientals and the Indians? Caller: I can’t handle them! THERE’S NO AM. PEOPLE ANYMORE. Carton: Eh.. Caller: THEY ARE SHOVING US THE HELL OUT! Carton: It’s like you’re a foreigner in your own country isn’t it? Caller: You go to own store and you can’t even see American people, you don’t see our own kids, American kids, working in stores anymore… Carton: Like the next time you see an American, you think you’ll probably hug him or high five him or something? Caller: Oh, that’s why where I moved too, that’s all I have, thank God for now anyways. Carton: YEAH I’M WITH YOU… SHARON, WE’RE JUST THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, and I appreciate your call. Caller: Keep up the good work. Carton: All right, you got it baby… I think the quote was DAMN ORIENTALS AND INDIANS.*

In this day and age, I find it quite appalling that this kind of thing still happens in America. Apparently, the 80-20 group targeted 3 of the radio programs’ largest advertisers and asked their CEOs to stop their ads. In 2 days, two of the three advertisers responded positively. On the 3rd day, the “two guys” agreed to apologize on air. In addition, the station manager agreed to take 4 other measures to prevent future reccurence.

More information on how all of this got started and the steps taken for the resolution can be found at the Cease Racism blog.